Open AccessThe biomechanical role of meniscal allograft transplantation and preliminary in‐vivo kinematic evaluation
Author(s) -
Zaffagnini Stefano,
Di Paolo Stefano,
Stefanelli Federico,
Dal Fabbro Giacomo,
Macchiarola Luca,
Lucidi Gian Andrea,
Grassi Alberto
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of experimental orthopaedics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2197-1153
DOI - 10.1186/s40634-019-0196-2
Subject(s) - cadaveric spasm , medicine , meniscus , biomechanics , orthopedic surgery , transplantation , anterior cruciate ligament , anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction , surgery , knee flexion , lateral meniscus , orthodontics , anatomy , physics , incidence (geometry) , optics
Background Meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT) is a surgical procedure performed in patients complaining post‐meniscectomy syndrome. Although the effectiveness of MAT on knee stability has been already demonstrated in cadaveric studies, its biomechanical role has been poorly evaluated in‐vivo. Methods A narrative review of the biomechanical effect of meniscectomy and MAT was performed. Furthermore, two cases were presented, of one patient who underwent Medial MAT and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction, and one who underwent Lateral MAT. During the surgery, knee laxity was evaluated using a surgical navigation system. Results AP laxity and IE rotation were reduced of 25% to 50% at both 30° and 90° of knee flexion after MAT transplantation. Discussion In both cases, almost all the tests performed showed a reduction of knee laxity after meniscus transplant, when compared with pre‐operative knee laxity. This assessment confirms the insights of previous in‐vitro studies and underline a crucial role of MAT in knee biomechanics.